The NYT on July 16 reported that Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen will donate half of his $13.5 billion of personal wealth to various charitable causes. His announcement is tied to a nationwide challenge by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to the mega-rich, asking them to pledge half their fortunes to philanthropy. Allen has already given away an estimated $1 billion to the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum. His giving has been concentrated in the Northwest. Last year he donated $85 million through his family foundation and otherwise.